Book Review: The One Year Walk with God

I’ve read through the entire Bible in a year (more than once, in case you’re wondering ☺). It is a life-changing habit. But sometimes I feel rushed. I want depth. God’s Word is so rich, I’ve often thought of picking out a verse and pondering it for a long time…like a year. That’s the idea of The One Year Walk with God Devotional. Author Chris Tiegreen focuses in on Romans 12:2 where Paul challenges us to “be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” And then uses other key passages of Scripture to encourage us to want to be transformed and to show us how.

Tiegreen suggests that “being transformed” requires that we leave behind our faulty human reasoning – how we naturally think, feel and make decisions. And learn to think God’s way. It is a process. A process that is expedited with a daily dose of God’s Word: to remind us of the results of trying to do things our way and to encourage us to seek and follow the wisdom of God instead. That’s where The One Year Walk with God excels.

Each day’s entry presents a verse or passage from the Bible as suggested reading so that you can look at the key verse in context. The key verse is presented and then discussed in two sections which are entitled “In Word” and “In Deed”. The “In Word” section is more “sermon” or exposing of the passage. The “In Deed” section is application with specific ways you can use the wisdom imparted from key verse. The daily entry ends with a reinforcing quote from a great Christian.

Is this devotional helpful? For me, yes, it truly has been. For example, I’ve been trying to make two important decisions—never easy for me. I was praying about them this morning and then read the following devotion from “The One Year Walk with God:”

The Available Mind of God

Key Verse:If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. (James 1:5)

In Word: Why would God set up a process for us to gain wisdom? Why would he not just give it to us? Because asking for His wisdom and receiving it brings us into relationship with Him. The wisdom we receive is not information imparted, but character learned. We observe who He is and we learn to behave like Him. We come to know Him better in the process. His wisdom is readily available, but we must ask.

Have you found yourself needing guidance in a given situation? Our usual tendency is to ask for direction. But God has a better way. Pray for wisdom, and the direction will become clear. If we were to pray for direction, God could only answer by giving us information. But if we pray for wisdom, God answers by giving us His own mind.

We are prone to call upon God for wisdom only when we find ourselves in a difficulty. But far from being a one-time request in a moment of need, this verse hints at an ongoing process. It isn’t that we ask for wisdom one day when we’re at our wits end; we are to ask for wisdom daily because we will find ourselves at wit’s end sooner or later. God’s provision of His mind is often given in advance. It is more than instructions for a way to go; it is training for a way of life.

In Deed: Do you need direction? Guidance? Wisdom from above? The crucial step, often neglected, is to ask. How often we try to figure things out on our own. How often we ask others for advice before we ask God. Ask Him now. Ask often. Make the asking a regular part of your life. Don’t wait until trouble comes; learn the mind of God now. He offers it generously.

“There is a deep wisdom inaccessible to the wise and prudent, but disclosed to babes.” –Christopher Bryant

If you find this entry helpful, as I do, then I think you would enjoy and find great value in this devotional.

3 Responses

In this present age of instant answers, all too often the depth and wisdom of God’s word is either ignored in favour of the quick synopsis, or missed completely. We have instant dictionaries and concordanances. Instant compact commentaries and dictionaries and so on.

Thus many of the older books where the ‘meat’ of Gods word is chewed over and digested completely, are so often much better on which to contemplate and meditate on His word in order to derive the greatest benefit and understanding.

Accordingly, extracting a verse for meditative reflection, after reading the whole context passage, is always (to me at least) to be an excellent idea. It is certainly not a new idea, but in this modern age, anything that forces one to slow down to fully appreciate Gods word, is worthwhile.

i have tried so many times to read through the bible and often allow life (excuses) to get in the way. i’m looking for a way to read through the bible and get a clear understanding of what God wants for me. I also have been praying through the years for guidance and patience.

I got this when Laridian first offered it. It is one of the best devotionals. I rate it up there with Oswald Chambers and Charles Spurgeon. What depth and practicality!

Now my sisters, mom, sister-in-law and a friend have hard copies.

I have a customizable quote application on my PDA’s today page so I use quotes from Walk With God. I absolutely love it. Here is today’s quote: “In shunning a trial, we are seeking to avoid a blessing.” He actually quoted Spurgeon on that.